A consultative advocacy meeting was recently held at the Municipal Council of Sveti Nikole, bringing together women from seven women’s groups from the municipalities of Sveti Nikole and Lozovo, as well as representatives of the local government and relevant institutions. During the meeting, the findings of an analysis on the awareness and utilization of existing support measures for women in rural areas were presented, along with identified needs for the introduction of new forms of support. The participants discussed access to these measures, the challenges they face in their daily lives, and opportunities for improving their socio-economic position.

Particular emphasis was placed on the proposals and recommendations put forward by the women themselves, aimed at strengthening their economic independence, social security, and greater participation in local decision-making processes. The meeting represents an important step in the advocacy process for advancing the rights and opportunities of women in rural areas through the direct involvement of relevant stakeholders in the development of local policies and support measures.

The activity was organized by GIŽ Sveti Nikole as part of a grant for implementing the project “Strengthening the Socio-Economic Rights of Women from Rural Areas in the Municipalities of Sveti Nikole and Lozovo. The project is part of the programme “Women Take the Lead in Local Communities,” implemented by The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, Action Zdrzhuzenska, and HZ Majka Kumanovo, with financial support from the Delegation of the European Union in North Macedonia and co-financing from the Embassy of Sweden in Skopje.